Tank washing apparatus



June 1, 1954 E. H. BRYANT TANK WASHING APPARATUS Filed July 12, 1951 31:13]; INVENTOR.

Patented June 1, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to an elevated water tank, and more particularly to a means for washing or cleaning the interior of an elevated water tank, particularly muncipal elevated water tanks.

The object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for washing the interior of elevated water tanks from the ground whereby the tank will be kept free of mud, sludge, and mineral salts which collect on the interior of the tank walls, bowl, and riser pipe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for facilitating the cleaning and washing of the interior of elevated tanks to insure a clean water supply so that mud, sludge, and mineral salts will not remain on the walls of the tank and corrode or otherwise damage the tank walls, the mechanism of the present invention being readily operated from the ground by unskilled persons so that injuries to workmen will be prevented, the mechanism being ruggedly constructed and arranged so that it will operate under all climatic conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tank washing apparatus which is extremely simple'and inexpensive to manufacture, easily accessible to permit repair or servicing.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description of certain novel details of construction.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an elevated water tank with the washing mechanism of the present invention installed therein;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a modified or different type of elevated water tank having a washing mechanism installed therein.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the washer head;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view showing the pipes for conveying water to the outer rim;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the connection of one of the pipes with the annular rim;

Figure 6 is a modified fragmentary sectional view showing the outer extremity of the water supply pipe; and

Figure 7 is a horizontal fragmentary sectional view showing a water supply pipe welded to an angle iron rim.

Referring in detail to Figure 1 of the drawings, the numeral iii designates each of a plurality of upstanding uprights or standards which may be fabricated of any suitable material. Mounted on the upper ends of the standards In and secured thereto is an elevated tank 14 which is adapted to hold a quantity of water. Suitable braces I5 and i2 extend between the uprights In and are secured thereto for maintaining the uprights in their proper spaced position. The tank l4 includes an annular side wall IS, a bottom l5, and a top ll.

Extending from the bottom I5 is a vertically disposed drain pipe l8 which has a suitable valve such as a gate valve is arranged contiguous to its top. Thus, by opening or closing the valve is sludge or dirty water will be permitted to drain through the pipe It.

For supplying water to the tank I 4, a vertically disposed main supply pipe 20 is provided, and the pipe 20 may lead from any suitable source of supply of water.

The present invention is directed to a mechanism for cleaning and washing the interior of the tank It so as to prevent mud, sludge, mineral salts, and the like from corrocling or otherwise damaging the tank I4. The washing and cleaning mechanism includes a vertically disposed riser pipe 2! which has its lower end terminating adjacent the bottom of the uprights i0, Figure l. The upper portion of the riser pipe 2| extends through the tank l4 and terminates just below the top I! of the tank M. A cap or collar 22 is arranged on the upper end of the riser pipe 2!, and extending outwardly from the collar 22 is a plurality of horizontally disposed radially extending pipes 23. The pipes 23 communicate with the pipe 2! whereby water will be conveyed therefrom. Various means may be provided for supporting the outer ends of the pipes 23. Thus, as shown in Figure 5 an annular rim 2 which may have an L-shape may be secured to the wall it of the tank M as by welding. Thus, water will flow through the pipes 23 and then through the space 25 whereby it will wash down the sides or interior of the tank i4. Also, when the valve I9 is open when the tank is being washed or cleaned, the dirty water will flow down through the drain pipe l8.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, there is shown a modified connection between the outer ends of the pipes 23 and the wall it. Thus, a body member 26 is provided for each of the pipes 23, and the body member 26 may be secured as by welding to the inner surface of the wall It. Thus, water will flow through the pipes 23, then through the space 27 and this will result in the interior of the tank being bottom of the supply pipe 30.

washed. In Figure 7 there is shown another modified means of connecting the pipes 23. Thus, as shown in Figure 7 an annular rim 28 is secured to the side wall I6 in any suitable manner, as for example by Welding, and the pipes 23 can be welded to the rim 28. Suitable conventional valves or fittings may be provided for the lower ends of the riser pipe 2| and for the main supply pipe 20 so as to permit the flow of water to be controlled that flows therethrough.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, there is shown another type of elevated Water tank 29: which is adapted to be cleaned by the mechanism of the present invention. Thus, the tank 29 is supported by the uprights l0, and leading from the bottom of the tank 29 is a main supply pipe 30 which may be relatively large in diameter. Extending through the main supply pipe 30 isa riser pipe 3!, and arranged contiguous to the lower end of the main supply pipe 35 is a valve 32 which permits liquid to be drained from the Connected to the upper end of the riser pipe 3| is a plurality of radially extending horizontally disposed pipes 23 which serve the same purpose as the previously described pipes 23 as in Figure 1. Thus, when the tank 23 is to be cleaned water can be supplied or fed to the lower end of the riser pipe 3| and this water will then flow up through the riser pipe 3! and out through the pipes 23.

This water will then wash down the interior of the tank 29 and also this water will wash down the interior of the main supply pipe 30. This dirty water can then be drained off. through the valve 32.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that a mechanism has been provided for facilitating the washing of elevated tanks. Thus, by means of the present invention it will be possible to keep tanks clean and free at all timesof mud, sludge, and mineral salts which ordinarily collect on the interior of the tank walls, bowl and riser pipe. It is necessary that these foreign matters be removed because if they are permitted to remain on the steel surface for any length of time, they have a tendency to corrode the steel and in many cases cause a considerable amount of damage to the tank. The tank washing mechanism of the present invention will remove all of this foreign matter from the tank and. the washer is operated from the ground with unskilled labor. The only equipment necessary is a high pressure pump or fire truck which can be connected to the lower end of the riser pipe 2! or 3!. The

average tank can be washed in approximately thirty minutes. Also, the mechanism of the present invention will eliminate the necessity of hoisting a heavy fire hose to the top of the tank with the ever present hazard of the hose bursting under pressure and causinginjury to the workmen. Also, it will be unnecessary for workmen to climb to the top of the tank which is a dangerous task. Further, the washer will last as long as the tank itself and due to the built in drainage feature, the danger of freezing will be eliminated. Thus, the washer will operate under all climatic conditions. The various pipes may be of any size and the washer can be used for water tanks, stand pipes and the like. The muddy water will flow out of the tank 14 through the drain pipe l8. If desired, the washing mechanism can be suspended from the top of the tank. Above the overflow pipe.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction and operation of the tank washer for elevated water tanks will be obvious, and that a further description as to the operation and utility of the tank washer is unnecessary.

It may also be stated that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and that various changes in construction, operation and position of mounting various parts may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the interior washing of an upright tank having a bottom drain, comprising in combination, a channel member imperviously fastened along its top edge to the inner periphery of the tank wall and disposed with its lower edge closely clearing said wall, thereby forming with said wall a duct having a continuous narrow orifice downwardly directed, and means for supplying liquid under pressure to said duct.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said means for supplying liquid comprise a supply pipe, and branch pipes all of substantially equal length connecting said supply pipe to said duct at substantially equal intervals.

3. Apparatus for interior washing of an upright tank having a bottom drain, comprising in combination, an angle bar continuously welded along its. top edge to the interior surface of the tankand withits lower edge closely clearing said surface, forming with the included portion of said surface a peripheral duct with a continuous narrow downwardly-directed orifice above the normal water level of the tank, and means for supplying water withsubstantially equal force all along said duct, thereby projecting. a fast-moving sheet of water directly down said interior surface.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3,.wherein said watersupplying means comprises a supply pipe centrally located with respectto said duct and vertically disposed, and horizontalradial branch pipes connecting said supply pipe and duct.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 821,250 Miller May 22, 1906 1,260,947 Sperry Mar. 26, 1918 1,321,490 Sweetland Nov. 11, 1919 1,487,426 Andrews Mar. 18, 1924 2,067,780 Morrison Jan. 12, 1937 2,294,668 Karas Sept. 1, 1942 l. A.) A A. A 

